Nate Diaz will finally get his freedom from the UFC on Saturday night when he fights out his contract after 15 years with the promotion.
He's fought under the UFC banner since the 2007 season of The Ultimate Fighter, and got as far as competing for the lightweight world title in December 2012. However, his star-making moment came in 2016 when he stepped in on short notice to face Conor McGregor at UFC 196, submitting the Irishman in the second round.
Unfortunately, Diaz has never been the UFC's favourite fighter and in the six years since that win he has only been able to fight four times, going 1-3. He now wants out of the promotion by fulfilling the final fight on his contract, and they're not making it easy by having him face the undefeated Swedish prospect Khamzat Chimaev, who is currently ranked No.3 at welterweight.
Here's all you need to know about Saturday night's fight card...
What time is UFC 279: Nate Diaz vs Khamzat Chimaev in the UK?
The preliminary bouts will begin at around 1am in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time, with the main card getting underway at 3am. Both fighters are expected to walk to the octagon at around 5am with the bout set to take place at around 5.15am providing the previous fights run to the standard schedule. Some Las Vegas UFC main events have been known to start as late as 5.30am.
How to watch UFC 279 via TV and live stream
UFC 279 will be broadcast exclusively live on BT Sport 1. BT customers can watch the event as part of their standard subscription at no extra cost. It will also live streamed on BT Sport’s website and app, so is available via mobile, laptop or tablet devices. In America it will be available on ESPN+ PPV for $75 on top of the monthly subscription fee of $15.
Main card
Khamzat Chimaev vs Nate Diaz - main event
Tony Ferguson vs Li Jingliang - co-main event
Daniel Rodriguez vs Kevin Holland
Irene Aldana vs Macy Chiasson
Johnny Walker vs Ion Cuțelaba
Shamil Abdurakhimov vs Jailton Almeida
Preliminary card
Hakeem Dawodu vs Julian Erosa
Jamie Pickett vs Denis Tiuliulin
Jake Collier vs Chris Barnett
Norma Dumont vs Danyelle Wolf
Alateng Heili vs Chad Anheliger
Elise Reed vs Melissa Martinez
Early preliminary card
Darian Weeks vs Yohan Lainesse
Trey Ogden vs Daniel Zellhuber
Nikolas Motta vs Cameron VanCamp
Louis Cosce vs Trevin Giles
Who do you believe will win on Saturday night; Khamzat Chimaev or Nate Diaz? Let us know in the comments section below
Odds
Chimaev - 1/12
Diaz - 11/2
Draw - 50/1
Quotes corner
Nate Diaz: “It’s a fight as far as I’m concerned. Him being a favourite and everybody thinking he’s going to win by - on what ground? You better take me clean out the way the odds are, right? Pressure’s on, dog.”
Khamzat Chimaev: “Actually, I don’t need to fight that guy. I fight the guy just for fun. I was a kid when he was fighting. I could wait for the title - I took that fight, that guy is not top, but he’s famous. Everyone loves him, everyone talk about this gangster. I eat gangsters for the breakfast. I’m going to f*** that guy up.”
